This is a departure from the conventional perception that there is (almost) a linear correlation between the level of external stimulus and satisfaction: external stimulus (brought by products/services etc.) that generate less pain and more pleasure always result in higher satisfaction.

This perspective changes when arousal is plugged in to the equation. Arousal is a bell curve. An assumption can be made that the marginal satisfaction from the change in pain/pleasure level would start diminishing once it hits the plateau of arousal, and starts going toward boredom or stress direction.

Interaction of External Stimulus and Arousal

But where does the level of external stimulus meet optimum arousal level, when we are talking about satisfaction from products or services?

This is where “Zero” comes into play.

Make an assumption for now, that the current level of pleasure for humans is too much and is not aligned with their optimal arousal level. (For the sake of simplicity, we will focus on pleasure, not pain, from this point on.)

Since the assumption is “too much” pleasure, we can simply start reducing the dosage until we find the right point where it crosses the optimal level of arousal.

If you keep subtracting the amount of pleasure, the pleasure will eventually become zero. “Zero” is the ultimate form of subtraction.

Zero sets a boundary for this experiment: if we keep reducing pleasure towards zero, what will happen to our body and mind? Will we only feel stress or anxiety? Or will something else emerge?

Zero = abundance is an online forum to explore the potential of "less is more," so as we can design happier life, happier business and happier society by leveraging beauty emerging from "less." Zero = abundance draws core inspirations from Zen-inspired Japanese aesthetics.

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